Jo’s Monday walk : Daffodils in Farndale

Burning the heather on Farndale

Burning the heather on Farndale

Carrying on from my last walk, at Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire, I would like to take you over the Moors to Farndale. It’s always a dramatic sight when you crest a hill and see the heather smouldering, but the burning is done on a carefully controlled basis to keep the heather young and vigorous.

I had read that medieval monks from Rievaulx planted the first daffodil bulbs in the valley, but the petite wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) is one of our native plants.  In any case, I’ve known of the Daffodil Walk at Farndale for as long as I can remember.  It’s coming to the end of the season now but, 2 weeks ago, when I was there, we admirers were out in earnest.

Mind you, you need to tread carefully!
The walk follows the River Dove
Through gentle woodland

Old and young, and many a happy dog, ambled or scampered along the well trodden path- each at his own pace.  The common factor?  A smiling face!  The tiny, nodding yellow folk and the enfolding warmth of the sun seemed to create a special world.  No frowns or scowls allowed!

The tiny, yellow folk

The tiny, yellow folk

Such a joyful sight!

Such a joyful sight!

The river scurries past, unheeding
Intent on its own reflections
While the daffodils nod, understandingly
The sheep have their own world
And there’s a bench or two, of course
But the daffodils are the stars of the show
Time to cool off!

Time to cool off!

Oh, no! Come back!!!

Oh, no! Come back!!!

Some of us aren't so badly behaved!

Some of us aren’t so badly behaved!

On the lead, or off- I guess that’s the difference.  With barely a cloud in the sky, it was an English day to be in love with.  And I was!

Such a tidy Winter's hedge!

Such a tidy, bare hedge!

And then a low-flying plane drones past

Then a low-flying plane drones past

Such crisp shadow in a peaceful scene

Disturbing the peace, but not the shadows

Are you feeling thirsty yet?  We’re approaching The Daffy Caffy.  Yes, you read that right!  Only in England?  But first we should inspect the pretty window box.

Full of Spring flowers, of course

Full of Spring flowers, of course

Perfection in a tub!
The Daffy Caffy!
It’s appropriately lemon yellow inside
With more than its share of clutter

But the good news is you can have everything from a bacon sarnie (jumbo size!) to a cooked meal, or just a naughty piece of tiffin or cake.  Go the whole hog, if you must!

And then there are choices to be made.  I don’t mean sitting in the garden or indoors, but that’s a choice too, so long as there’s space.  You can now either retrace your steps, beside the river, or you can carry on, on a circular route which will make your total walk about 3 and a half miles. Well- ‘in for a penny, in for a pound!’  It’s too nice a day to waste, and there’s the added enticement of St. Mary’s Church.

If you haven’t already got one, pick up a Farndale leaflet before you leave the Daffy.  The map will keep you right, but in daffodil season the route is fairly obvious.  The village of Church Houses lies ahead, at the end of a short track.

Looking back at Church Houses

Looking back at Church Houses

Just beyond Church Houses you cross a stream, beside which the Church of St. Mary’s is signed. Dating from 1831, it’s worth a closer look.

St. Mary’s churchyard
And the stone church and cross
Sunlight plays through the windows
And the stained glass
Onto a few more daffodils
While outside, in the sunshine, they thrive

I hope you’re in the mood for hopping over a few stiles, because that’s what comes next.  They come in all shapes and sizes as you cross the fields.

I think this suggests ‘keep out’!
But doesn’t the cottage look inviting?
Or maybe this one?

Or maybe this one?

Complete with stile!

Complete with stile!

But you have choices!
Like this one
And this too!
Last but not least...

Last but not least…

Safely back to earth, I hope you enjoyed our wander.  Maybe it’s one to bookmark for next Spring?  Already the tulips are rampant and I found some shy fritillaries in our garden.

If you’re driving into Farndale there’s car parking at Low Mill, but it might be possible to catch the Moorsbus during daffodil season, from March to April.  This map will help you with location.

walking logo

I won’t be publishing a walk next Monday because I’ll be in Poland, so you have the Bank Holiday to roam at will!  I’ll be back with you on Monday, 11th May, when I hope to settle back into my usual pattern.  Thank you for your tolerance in the meantime.

I have so many walks to share with you this week that you might need a very large teapot at your elbow! Grateful thanks, as always, to all my contributors.  My Jo’s Monday walk page will tell you how you can join me.

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It’s always a pleasure to follow Debbie. Where she leads, I’d just love to follow!

A Walk around Historic Corstorphine

Waltzing across the floor would be a dream in this place.  I might give up walking!

If walls could talk

A UNESCO Heritage Site always has plenty to offer :

Georgetown in Penang 

This might appeal to those of you who like a shorter walk (and a bit of shopping) :

A small stretch of our legs in Moncarapacho

Amy captivates this week with a romantic meeting of deer :

Back to the Trail

And the wild flowers tempted her to Monday walking last week too!

Monday walk : Texas Countryside

Come on a twilight adventure with Cherry Blossom.  Thanks, Yvette- it’s a beauty!

Walkin in DC- part 1

And talking of the extraordinary, have you ever ‘walked with swans’?  A delight from Violet Sky :

Salute to Spring

I am honoured to share with you Suzanne’s beautiful venture onto a laptop :

Uncertainty and the Great Ocean Road

When Cardinal Guzman shares you can always expect a great photo!

Acores 5341

Whilst this post has Jude stamped all over it, even though there’s a boat or two :

Messing about on the river

Lisa is more often to be found afloat, but managed to catch up with some great Street Art!

Walking the All Fresco Street Art Festival

A Scottish walk is often bracing but no worries- there’s fish and chips!

A short walk along the promenade in Largs

Could anywhere be more different?  Pad Thai, anyone?

Soi 81, Bangkok

And some thoroughly English gardens!  Do you know this one, Jude?

Hall Place and the Queen of Beasts

Rounding off with Tobias.  Don’t miss the Art Deco!

A Walk to Kurhaus

That should be enough to keep you all going while I’m gone!  Once again, many thanks, and happy walking!

172 comments

  2. So gorgeous this walk Jo, I adore Yorkshire and how beautiful in the spring with your lovely photos and your entertaining narrative 🙂 I’ve done a walk for you, but fear I am too late since you ae going away 😦 But we are on the same wavelength with daffodils and dogs 🙂 Ever since hubby and I went away for our wedding anniversary back in March, I’ve been wanting to do this post…! I managed to get my bench with a view in for Jude too…sharing this time, cheekily! And now I’m going to look at your previous post and here’s the link to mine: http://sherrimatthewsblog.com/2015/04/27/a-walk-with-my-friend-oscar/ Loving your walks 🙂

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    1. I’m happy to share your walk and to have you around anytime, Sherri 🙂 I’ll tweet tonight/FB tomorrow and include on my next walk (wherever that may be!!!). It just means a bit of a delay till the post appears. I already have a few for next time. I had to post this today as by the time I come back the daffs will almost be history. Many thanks, hon.
      Oh good- I’ll get to sit on Jude’s bench too (cheekily 🙂 🙂 )

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      1. You can sit on Jude’s benches anytime you want Jo…we’ll both have to share you 😀 🙂 😉 Thanks so much for sharing my ‘Oscar’ post…where has the time gone?

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  8. I’m so excited because this is another place where I have been to! Took my boys on the daffodil trail at Easter in 1995 I believe! Gorgeous daffs and some new-born lambs and calves too. Beautiful photos! There is nowhere as gorgeous as England when the sun shines 😀

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    1. There were quite a few lambs about, Jude, but I didn’t get a decent photo of any of them. I’m blown away by the tulips that are out since I’ve come back from Tavira. Poland should be pretty with blossom too. 🙂

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  9. I have filled my yard with daffodils; because, as you say, it is impossible not to smile when you see them. This was a lovely walk. There were a few photos that caused me to winder whether I have ever seen so few clouds in an English sky. have a wonderful time in Poland – eat some bialy ser for me!

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  13. so beautiful Jo! the daffodils look so dainty. and the church! oh so charming. love the stained glass crucifixion scene! beautiful photographs and reflections as always! what a lovely walk! thanks for sharing 🙂

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  15. Such an enjoyable walk, Jo! I loved breathing in the fresh country air and admiring the views. That window box is so delightful, and I loved the little ladder to help me climb over the stone wall. Have a great time in Poland. 🙂 xx

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    1. Boot club not needed, Ad. I just climb stiles 🙂 🙂 There were some fierce-looking cows eyeing us up this morning so we were pretty snappy getting over them! Thank you 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Paula 🙂 It was such a ‘feel good’ day! Juggling too many balls in the air at present but I’ll be under employed when I get to Poland. There’s seldom balance, is there? 🙂 Hope you enjoy Portugal and we’ll have a major catch up when we’re both back again.

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